As the case of Terri Schiavo winds its way through the court
systemagainher mother is barred from placing a sliver of ice on her
tongue to relieve her parched mouth. A 41-year-old disabled Florida woman is
dying of thirst and we stand by helpless.

It is Holy Week, and as we live again Jesus Passion and Death, a woman
is being crucified by the sins of a country that cant seem to save her
because the rule of law and of other interests are, for now, more powerful than
the forces of goodness and of life. Her mother and father are helpless, her
brother and sister are helpless, all suffering as Mary suffered at the foot of
the Cross.

This is a terrible moment for our country and as the time runs outand as
we all pray that somehow some judge will find a way to save Terriwe must
pray that she will be saved because what her death would mean for our country is
too awful to contemplate.

We can argue points of law and of what was said or not said, but Terri is
being killed.

No matter how this situation turns out, it should energize all those who
believe that the Senate filibuster is a necessary tool for the minority. I have
always believed the filibuster is an important tool for whoever is out of power,
a tool to keep the majori rom riding roughshod over the outnumbered opinion
and group of the moment.

But years of appointments by anti-life executives in state capitols and in
Washington, D.C., means that we now have some terrible judges. Of course, we will
always have good judge and bad judges. But even though a majority of Americans
voted for a government that would affirm life, a core of hardened abortion
activists and disciples of the Culture of Death can block anyone who disagrees
with their agenda.

I have never believed that judges have too much power. I believe in the
balance of power and that things work out in a democracy but it is messy and
takes time. But Terri is running out of time and our democracy is failing
hereven though a Congress and the President have rallied to try to save
her. How can that be?

I am now a vote for ending the supermajority that is needed to close off
debate and require a vote in the U.S. Senate. The House of Representatives has
functioned very well for years without it and does a better job representing the
will of the country. I urge Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and the Republican
leadership to revise the rules of the Senate.

Valerie Schmalz is a writer for IgnatiusInsight.
She worked as a reporter and editor for The Associated Press, and in print
and broadcast media for ten years. She holds a BA in Government from University
of San Francisco and a Master of Science from the School of Foreign Service
at Georgetown University. She is the former director of Birthright of San
Francisco. Valerie and her wonderful husband have four children.

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